The Supreme Court of India has rejected the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) proposed probe-panel for the investigation into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 betting and spot-fixing controversy. During the previous hearing of the case, the Supreme Court had given the BCCI the opportunity to form its own investigative panel to maintain its institutional autonomy, instead of heading towards a CBI or an SIT Probe.

The BCCI on Sunday, then appointed a three-member panel comprising former India captain Ravi Shastri, Justice JN Patel and RK Raghavan. The choices of the BCCI were questioned as the trio had their own conflicts of interest. While Shastri is a contracted commentator with the BCCI, Justice Patel is the brother-in-law of Shivlal Yadav, who is currently the acting president of the board. Also, Raghavan is the owner of a club that has voting rights in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, which is headed by N Srinivasan.

The Supreme Court had earlier asked Srinivasan to step aside so as a fair probe is conducted in the whole matter. Srinivasan did step aside and Sunil Gavaskar took up the post for the IPL affairs. The BCCI’s recent suggestions have been cast aside due to serious doubts and the Supreme Court have also asked the Mudgal panel if they want to investigate into the 13 people named in their report who have serious allegations leveled against them. Srinivasan is said to be named amongst those 13.

First Published on April 22, 2014 11:32 AM ISTLast updated on April 22, 2014 11:32 AM IST